The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is Australia's national transport safety investigator. The ATSB's function is to improve safety and public confidence in the aviation, marine and rail modes of transport. The ATSB is Australia's prime agency for the independent investigation of civil aviation, rail and maritime accidents, incidents and safety deficiencies.

Fuel mismanagement is an ongoing aviation safety concern. The ATSB’s report into the fuel starvation and forced landing of a Piper PA-28, VH-BDB near Bankstown Airport, NSW, on 19 September 2017, highlights the need for pilots to continue to educate themselves on effective fuel management to avoid fuel starvation or exhaustion.

The single-engine aircraft, with a pilot and five passengers on board, was landing on runway 27 in a crosswind. While landing, the aircraft bounced and the pilot conducted a go-around. During the go-around, the aircraft’s undercarriage struck a fence and the right wing struck a tree.

This incident highlighted the importance of auto-flight system mode awareness, and the adverse effects of flight crew expectation and high workload. This incident also demonstrates the value of reporting problems, so that they can be addressed.

The ATSB has released its preliminary investigation report into the fatal collision with water involving a de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver aircraft. The fatal accident occurred at Jerusalem Bay, Hawkesbury River, in NSW on 31 December 2017. The preliminary report outlines the established facts of the accident. The investigation is continuing.

The ATSB is investigating the collision between the Panama-registered container ship, Beijing Bridge, and the fishing vessel, Saxon Onward, about 3 nautical miles south-east of Gabo Island, Victoria on 23 January 2018.